Cristiano Ronaldo, the celebrated Portuguese footballer currently playing for Al Nassr, shared his candid thoughts on Manchester United's persistent challenges, asserting his confidence in being able to rectify the club's problems if he were the owner. Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, Ronaldo emphasized the notion, which he has maintained for over a year, stating, "Masalahnya bukan pada pelatih" which translates to "the problem is not with the coach." This was directed at Ruben Amorim, Manchester United's manager, who has faced significant challenges since his recent appointment, suffering from five losses out of his first ten matches, with four of those losses occurring within the last five games of the Premier League.
Ronaldo compared the situation at United to caring for sick fish in an aquarium. He explained, "Jika ikan di dalamnya sakit, lalu Anda keluarkan dan sembuhkan, kemudian masukkan kembali ke akuarium, ikan itu akan sakit lagi. Masalah Manchester United itu sama. Masalahnya tidak selalu pada pelatih, ada hal yang lebih besar dari itu," meaning, "If the fish inside are sick and you take them out to heal and then put them back, the fish will be sick again. The problem with Manchester United is the same. The issue is not always with the coach; there are greater things at play." This metaphor highlights Ronaldo's belief in systemic issues deeply rooted within the club.
Further elaboration revealed Ronaldo's willingness to take action if he had control, as he expressed determination to clarify problems and implement necessary adjustments. "Jika saya menjadi pemilik klub, saya akan membuat semuanya jelas dan memperbaiki apa yang menurut saya salah," he stated, which means "If I were the owner of the club, I would make everything clear and rectify what I believe is wrong." This unwavering confidence suggests he has thoughts on how to revitalize the team, which historically brought him two significant periods of success.
Despite his criticisms, Ronaldo maintained support for manager Amorim. "Dia melakukan pekerjaan fantastis di Portugal, tetapi Liga Inggris adalah liga yang berbeda, liga paling kompetitif di dunia. Saya tahu ini akan sulit, tetapi badai akan berlalu, dan matahari akan bersinar kembali," translates to, "He did fantastic work in Portugal, but the Premier League is different, the most competitive league in the world. I know this will be difficult, but the storm will pass, and the sun will shine again." Ronaldo acknowledges the challenges present but expresses hope for positive outcomes.
Ronaldo's affection for Manchester United is palpable as he reflected, "Saya masih mencintai klub ini," or "I still love this club." This duality of support combined with criticism indicates his strong ties with the club, which has been part of his identity as one of football’s top players.
He also revealed aspirations for the future, saying, "Saya tidak akan menjadi pelatih atau presiden klub, tetapi mungkin pemilik klub. Itu akan tergantung pada momen dan peluang yang tepat," which conveys he will not aim to be the coach or president, but perhaps the owner, depending on the right moment and opportunity. When pressed for specific clubs he might wish to own, he replied diplomatically, "Belum ada. Mungkin beberapa," translating to "Not yet. Maybe some." This indicates he is considering opportunities without committing to any single entity.
At the Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo was honored as 2024’s Middle East Player of the Year, illustrating not just his enduring talent but also his ability to maintain relevance even after leaving Manchester United. After parting ways with United at the end of 2022 due to strained relations with then-manager Erik ten Hag, Ronaldo has kept his eyes focused on the changing dynamics of football clubs, especially with recent ownership transitions at United.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group recently took over the club's football operations, yet Ronaldo believes fundamental issues have yet to be resolved. Despite new management, he sees the root causes of Manchester United's decline require more than just coaching adjustments; they may demand drastic shifts at the ownership level and club-wide philosophy. His concerns lend weight to discussions about the sustainability of Manchester United's storied legacy.
Ronaldo's reflections provide insights not just about his experiences but also about the broader challenges facing one of football's most historic clubs. His ability to articulate complex issues surrounding the club reveals both his deep connection and unyielding desire for Manchester United to succeed. The confluence of admiration for the club paired with unflinching critique results in valuable commentary on the present and future of Manchester United, leaving fans watching closely for forthcoming developments.
